It has always been one happy family until a long lost uncle named Oluwole visited our house in Lagos. We were so happy to see him as we welcomed him joyfully and happily. Unknown to us, he had his own plans as his visit marks the beginning of tumult and disunity in the family of Adeniyi.
I've always known Oluwole to be my blood brother from the same father and mother. However, things turned out in an unexpected way ever since his visit to Lagos. At first, he was the same playful and funny brother I know during our childhood days in Abeokuta. Although very stubborn and naughty, he is very protective of his younger siblings. Not until one faithful morning did I know who he truly is, what he is capable of doing, and his plans on coming to Lagos.
We were all in the compound of our house on one Saturday morning. It was a large compound with banana plantations, an orange tree, and a small vegetable farm at the right side corner of the house. Everyone was busy with their house chores. My daughter sat on a stool at the right side corner of the house close to the vegetable farm, washing the dirty plates. My mum was feeding the little puppies with milk, my three younger sisters were washing clothes, my younger brother was doing some work in the banana plantation, and I was sweeping the compound. Suddenly, we heard the loud shouts of Brother Oluwole inside the house which startled everyone. At first, we all thought something bad has happened to him, not until we finally heard the words which he spoke that we knew there is fire on the mountain.
"Nonsense, dis na my papa house. So, una don dey enjoy my papa properties for the past 10 years wey him don die ehn. Una think say I no go come back abi? Me I be Omo Rosa ooo. This is my father's house. You people have been enjoying his properties for the past 10 years after his death. Do you think I will not come back? I am Rosa's child.", he shouted. He then came out to the compound and pointed at my mum, saying "Witch! Na him kill my father (she killed my father). Wicked woman. Shebi you send Rosa commot for him husband house com marry am (you sent Rosa out of her husband's house by marrying him). Selfless woman.”
I was so confused as the words which he spoke rang deeply in my ears. "Who is Rosa, and why would he accuse his mother, my mother, of killing our father who died of diabetes 10 years ago?", I asked myself. As he refuses to stop ranting, I took a bold step to confront him and shut him up as I mistook him as being drunk. "Brother Oluwole, wetin dey work you sef? (what is wrong with you?). Why you dey accuse our mama of something like this? (Why are you accusing our mother of a thing like this?). Abeg go sleep for room because e be like say the kaikai wey you drink don make you shayo (Please go inside the room to sleep because it seems like you're drunk). He's reply to me was very shocking to me. "Yemisi, I am your step-brother. Although we are of the same father, your mother isn't my mother and can never be.", he said.
I couldn't find words to speak as I ran to my mother to confront her. "Mummy is this true?", I said. "Yes it is.", she replied back. "How could this be?", I said to myself. We all grew up together in our house at Abeokuta. I've always believed Oluwole to be my elder brother and my mum's first born. My mum treated everyone of us equally and we all went to one of the best schools in Abeokuta. Our family was the envy of the community as everyone wished to be a part of us because of the love and unity in our midst. "What went wrong? What is happening to this beautiful family?", I thought aloud with tears flowing down my cheeks.
"I've always wanted my share of my father's property but your wicked mother refused. She poisoned the heart of my father and turned his back against me. Wicked woman. Witch!", Oluwole said. “Truly, I refuse to accept your father giving you your share of his property at a very young age.", my mum began to tell her story as everyone sat at different corners in the compound listening. "Because I want the best for you. I have always took you as my child, and I won't let you go astray. How can a young boy of 16 request for his share of his father's property? What for? Due to frustration, your father almost released it to you. I bluntly refused because I know that if you have had your share, you would squander it and that would be the end of you receiving anything from your father.”
"Yemisi", my mom said as she turned to me. "Truly, I'm not Oluwole's mother. You are my first fruit and the strength of my youth. I became your father's second wife because Rosa, Oluwole's mom, eloped with another man leaving the young boy of 4 years with his father. She later died of AIDS a few years after. Of course, the young boy needed care and attention which is why your father married me.” "Oluwole", she said turning to him with tears in her eyes. "I loved you like my own. I took care of you and provided you with all I could. Is this how you repay kindness with evil?”
"Anyways, concerning your share, your father and I decided to invest in it before he died. He told me to give them to you anytime you return, after you ran away from home for a very long time. I'll call the family lawyer to prepare the documents as soon as possible.", she said with a firm voice, rose up and walked into the house. Everywhere was so quiet as everyone began to rise one after the other.
I was the last person who went inside the house before Uncle Oluwole who looked dumbstruck with his head facing the sky. Before I left, I looked at him closely and discovered the tears in his eyes. "I hope you've heard the bitter truth." were the words my mum said to him before she left the scene. It's been five years since this incident happened and it still looks fresh in my memory. I woke up from my reverie at the shout of my name, "Olayinka!". It's my mum calling. "Ma!", I answered.
